Orchids are so beautiful. Who doesn’t love them? Budget wise they are all over the place, cheap to outrageously expensive. Ask your florist for ideas if you love them as much as I do. 
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
What to Know Before Choosing Your Flower Girl or Ring Bearer
Picture this, the little two year old flower girl floating down the aisle, dressed in puffy layers of satin and lace, gently dropping petals as she goes. During the ceremony, she stands quietly next to the maid of honor, with her tiny thumb in her mouth, awed by all the grandeur. Seem like a movie; well it is…because that just does not happen in real life. Believe me I have sent enough little girls and boys down the aisle to know.
Want to know what I’ve seen? How about the flower girls that screamed bloody murder and would not go down the aisle no matter how much bribing we did. Or the one that refused to wear her shoes (ok, not that bad, but still), the ones that walked all over the stage during the ceremony, tugging on the bride, groom and minister. There was the ring bearer that screamed to be picked up by the groom during the wedding. Even better we had a flower girl that sat on the stage and tore her kissing ball to shreds during the service. There was the flower girl that tossed her basket into the stream running by the ceremony. I’ve seen a ring bearer use his pillow for an air plane, engine noises included. Need I go on? I think you get the picture.
I’m not against children in the wedding, if it is handled correctly. You can believe that I had advised each of the brides in the above scenarios not to have a flower girl that young or at least not have them up front during the ceremony. Did they listen; no…did they wish later they had…oh yeah.
If you want to be the complete center of attention, skip the children. They can’t help being the center of attention. If sharing the spotlight is ok with you, then follow these rules.
1) No children under 3 years of age (at 3 they need to be really mature).
2) Have them walk down the aisle, but be seated with Mom or Dad, or Grandma at the front. Do not have them standing at the front during the ceremony.
Want to know what I’ve seen? How about the flower girls that screamed bloody murder and would not go down the aisle no matter how much bribing we did. Or the one that refused to wear her shoes (ok, not that bad, but still), the ones that walked all over the stage during the ceremony, tugging on the bride, groom and minister. There was the ring bearer that screamed to be picked up by the groom during the wedding. Even better we had a flower girl that sat on the stage and tore her kissing ball to shreds during the service. There was the flower girl that tossed her basket into the stream running by the ceremony. I’ve seen a ring bearer use his pillow for an air plane, engine noises included. Need I go on? I think you get the picture.
I’m not against children in the wedding, if it is handled correctly. You can believe that I had advised each of the brides in the above scenarios not to have a flower girl that young or at least not have them up front during the ceremony. Did they listen; no…did they wish later they had…oh yeah.
If you want to be the complete center of attention, skip the children. They can’t help being the center of attention. If sharing the spotlight is ok with you, then follow these rules.
1) No children under 3 years of age (at 3 they need to be really mature).
2) Have them walk down the aisle, but be seated with Mom or Dad, or Grandma at the front. Do not have them standing at the front during the ceremony.
3) Do not expect the very young children to walk down the aisle alone. Place the ring bearer or flower girl together, there is courage in numbers. Or send them down the aisle with a junior bridesmaid or the maid of honor.
4) Ring bears DO NOT carry the real rings unless they are 7 or older and even then I’m against it.
Having small children in the wedding is one of those things that are great to imagine, pretty in pictures and the movies, but a huge gamble in real life.
4) Ring bears DO NOT carry the real rings unless they are 7 or older and even then I’m against it.
Having small children in the wedding is one of those things that are great to imagine, pretty in pictures and the movies, but a huge gamble in real life.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Wedding In Progress
I found these cute “Wedding in Progress” signs on the Anna Griffin site. These would be perfect if you are having your ceremony in a public space or hotel space with several events going on at the same time. I know we have, on more than one occasion, had to ask people in the area outside the ceremony to quiet down. Really makes you wonder about people doesn’t it.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Another Wedding Centerpiece
I am seeing this idea turning up in a lot of magazines (this is from Better Homes and Gardens) and I think it’s great. To make, just take two glass cylinders; place the smaller cylinder inside the larger one. Use fake snow and cedar, (in this example) between the two cylinders. Put a votive into the inner cylinder and presto a great centerpiece for your table. Think of all the possibilities, sand and shells between the cylinders for a summer or beach wedding, flower petals for a spring wedding, grapes and twigs for a wine themed wedding, orange and gold leaves for a fall wedding. A great affordable idea for your wedding tables.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Christmas Wedding Centerpiece
How beautiful is this floral Christmas tree? Wouldn’t it be just perfect for your Christmas wedding? I would use it on the escort card table or maybe on a buffet. I love that it is not the traditional Christmas colors or flowers. For those brides that want a Christmas wedding without using the standard red and green colors it would be a wonderful touch. You can find out more about it in this month’s Southern Living.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Which Arm Does Your Wedding Escort Offer?
Nothing is more hotly contested during the rehearsal than which arm does the man offer to the lady during the walk down the aisle. The answer is either side is correct. For generations it has been the gentleman offers his left arm. But that has all changed for today's weddings.
In the weddings we direct, we use the rule, brides side on the left, grooms side on the right (unless it is a Jewish ceremony), so ladies on the left, men on the right. This way there is none of that shuffling to switch sides at the end of the walk for groomsmen and bridesmaids. Also, when the bride walks in on the left side with her father on the right, he is in place to hand her off to the groom. Once again, the flow is everything in a well put together ceremony.
In the weddings we direct, we use the rule, brides side on the left, grooms side on the right (unless it is a Jewish ceremony), so ladies on the left, men on the right. This way there is none of that shuffling to switch sides at the end of the walk for groomsmen and bridesmaids. Also, when the bride walks in on the left side with her father on the right, he is in place to hand her off to the groom. Once again, the flow is everything in a well put together ceremony.
As far as seating guests before the ceremony, I tell groomsmen and ushers to offer the lady which ever arm she walks up on. No reason to freak the groomsmen out with one more thing to worry about. As long as everyone gets seated we’re good.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Getting Down The Aisle
Next we need to talk about how the people in your processional get down the aisle and back up for the recessional. By that I mean, who will escort them down the aisle and back up. Now I know a few people don’t see the need for escorts, but every time and I do mean every time, I have seen this done, it ends up a mess.
An escort is the usher or groomsman that is assigned to walk your grandmother or mother down the aisle. You say “but can’t my dad walk her down the aisle” and the answer is yes he can, but, remember instead of waiting in the room with you helping to calm your nerves and having a tender father/daughter moment with you, he will be in line with your mother, walking her down the aisle, seating her and going back up the aisle and running to get back in line with you, not very calming for your dad or you. So I suggest having a groomsman, if your brother is one, that’s a good choice, escort your mother or your grandmother down the aisle.
This same escort will return after the wedding is over to escort your mother or grandmother (whoever he escorted in, back out). Now I know some planners do not use escorts to bring the mothers back out and let me say again, this always ends up a mess. The mothers forget when they need to walk out, or the grandmothers forget. The guests don’t know what to do, when grandma is just sitting there and not getting up. See my point? A mess just waiting to happen.
So choose an escort to walk your grandmother down the aisle, your grandfather will follow behind. Same goes for the moms, escort walks her down, followed by dad if he is not walking you down the aisle. Same escort returns at the end of the ceremony and walks her out with dad following behind.
There is reason and order in tradition.
An escort is the usher or groomsman that is assigned to walk your grandmother or mother down the aisle. You say “but can’t my dad walk her down the aisle” and the answer is yes he can, but, remember instead of waiting in the room with you helping to calm your nerves and having a tender father/daughter moment with you, he will be in line with your mother, walking her down the aisle, seating her and going back up the aisle and running to get back in line with you, not very calming for your dad or you. So I suggest having a groomsman, if your brother is one, that’s a good choice, escort your mother or your grandmother down the aisle.
This same escort will return after the wedding is over to escort your mother or grandmother (whoever he escorted in, back out). Now I know some planners do not use escorts to bring the mothers back out and let me say again, this always ends up a mess. The mothers forget when they need to walk out, or the grandmothers forget. The guests don’t know what to do, when grandma is just sitting there and not getting up. See my point? A mess just waiting to happen.
So choose an escort to walk your grandmother down the aisle, your grandfather will follow behind. Same goes for the moms, escort walks her down, followed by dad if he is not walking you down the aisle. Same escort returns at the end of the ceremony and walks her out with dad following behind.
There is reason and order in tradition.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Exactly What is the Processional and How Does It Work?
The processional is the term for the seating of your most honored guests and then the entrance of the actual wedding party. The order we have found that works best for Protestant weddings (this does vary somewhat depending on your part of the United States) is :
Grandparents (groom’s, then brides)
Groom’s parents
Bride’s mother (father is escorting bride). If there is a stepmother, she can either lead off the procession or go before the groom’s mother.
Officiant
Groom
Bestman
(The Officiant, Groom and Bestman can enter either down the aisle or from a side entrance at the front of the ceremony)
Groomsmen
Bridesmaids
(The groomsmen can enter either separately, in pairs, or escorting bridesmaids, it is your choice)
Maid or Matron of Honor
Ring Bearer
Flower Girl (or junior bride)
Bride and her Escort (normally her father)
If you are having the rather new trend of honoraries, they enter at the start of the processional, go to the front side pews and or either seated or stand until the end of the processional.
If you are using ushers along with your groomsmen, they follow the honoraries down the aisle or can stay at the back of the ceremony site (your choice). I always suggest leaving at least two at the back to open and close the doors for the bride’s entrance.
Remember the rule is, closer to the bride the more honored the position.
More tomorrow.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Walking Down The Aisle
Brides spend hours and hours deciding on flowers, dresses, colors, but I am amazed at the little time or thought that is put into the actual ceremony. The “who will walk who” down the aisle, or the “who will be seated where” for the ceremony plan.
Traditionally, there is an exact plan of how all the processional and seating is done. If it is done correctly, it will flow like a well rehearsed ballet. It is actually quite beautiful to watch. It’s one of my favorite parts of the wedding. Seeing handsome groomsmen in their elegant tuxes escorting a mother or grandmother to or from her seat or the flow of the wedding party gliding down the aisle, it literally brings a tear to my eye, when done correctly. If done incorrectly, it can quickly turn into one big embarassing mess.
This plan for getting a wedding party down the aisle has been refined from generations of use. Each element not only looks beautiful, but works. Each element has a reason. That is what we are going to discuss over the next few days, the how’s and why’s of getting your wedding party down the aisle.
Yes, I understand that you’re not a “traditional” kind of bride and you want to put your own stamp on your wedding. That’s great. But before you go changing tradition, let’s talk about how things are done and why.
Tomorrow we will talk about the processional and how it works.
Traditionally, there is an exact plan of how all the processional and seating is done. If it is done correctly, it will flow like a well rehearsed ballet. It is actually quite beautiful to watch. It’s one of my favorite parts of the wedding. Seeing handsome groomsmen in their elegant tuxes escorting a mother or grandmother to or from her seat or the flow of the wedding party gliding down the aisle, it literally brings a tear to my eye, when done correctly. If done incorrectly, it can quickly turn into one big embarassing mess.
This plan for getting a wedding party down the aisle has been refined from generations of use. Each element not only looks beautiful, but works. Each element has a reason. That is what we are going to discuss over the next few days, the how’s and why’s of getting your wedding party down the aisle.
Yes, I understand that you’re not a “traditional” kind of bride and you want to put your own stamp on your wedding. That’s great. But before you go changing tradition, let’s talk about how things are done and why.
Tomorrow we will talk about the processional and how it works.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
A Video Trailer of Jill and Matt's Wedding
Corey of Siahgphx Video hard at work Remember a few weeks ago, I wrote about the beautiful wedding of Jill and Matt that Willrich Bridal helped to produce. Well, Corey Richards over at Siahgphx sent me a link to the video trailer his company did of the wedding. You can view it here . It is fantastic. Thanks so much Corey for sharing.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Greer, SC City Hall Event Center
On Thursday night I was invited to the grand opening of another new event venue. This is a good thing since the upstate area is so short on venue locations. Especially locations that allow you to bring in your own caterer. This venue is located in the heart of downtown Greer, SC in of all places the new Greer City Hall building and it is top of the line. Acccording to the invitation I received, "The Events Center is located on the second floor of the New City Hall building. This beautiful facility has three multipurpose rooms, each about 1500 square feet. This space is great for banquets, business meetings, wedding receptions and so much more. Each room is separated by retractable walls allowing for 4500 square feet for larger events. Rooms are supported by state of the art audio/visual technology and a caterer’s kitchen." 
I took some pictures so you could see what the event areas look like. The setup for the event was provided by:
Bridal Network
Upstate Wedding and Event Services
Dahlia Florists
Upstate Wedding and Event Services
Dahlia Florists
Bagatelle Caterers
Purple Kitchen
Jumping Jukebox
Thomas Creek Brewery
City of Greer
Cheers! To You
Purple Kitchen
Jumping Jukebox
Thomas Creek Brewery
City of Greer
Cheers! To You
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Buying Your Wedding Dress
Yesterday, I spent most of my day wedding dress shopping with one of my brides. I love wedding dresses. I love all the different styles, colors, textures and shapes. I think if I wasn’t a planner I would own a bridal shop. Nothing is more fun than helping a bride find her dream dress.
Remember when trying to find your dress, bring along shoes that are at least close to the height you intend to wear on your wedding day. Wear a strapless bra to make trying on different styles easier. No dress looks good with bra straps hanging out.
Don’t take too many people with you. Too many opinions will just confuse you. Your mom, your best friend, sister or maybe your planner is more than enough.
Try to go dress shopping during the week. Weekends are crowded and really just dreadful for making such a big decision. Take a camera, to get pictures of the contenders. Some shops don’t allow pictures, so ask first. But to tell the truth, I’d stay away from shops that don’t allow pictures.
Always ask what is their best price on the dress. They just might surprise you with a manager’s special. As my dad always said “it’s easier to talk for it, than to work for it”.
Remember when trying to find your dress, bring along shoes that are at least close to the height you intend to wear on your wedding day. Wear a strapless bra to make trying on different styles easier. No dress looks good with bra straps hanging out.
Don’t take too many people with you. Too many opinions will just confuse you. Your mom, your best friend, sister or maybe your planner is more than enough.
Try to go dress shopping during the week. Weekends are crowded and really just dreadful for making such a big decision. Take a camera, to get pictures of the contenders. Some shops don’t allow pictures, so ask first. But to tell the truth, I’d stay away from shops that don’t allow pictures.
Always ask what is their best price on the dress. They just might surprise you with a manager’s special. As my dad always said “it’s easier to talk for it, than to work for it”.
Monday, November 10, 2008
The Importance of Knowing What Other Events Are Ocurring on Your Wedding Day
Ok, we have talked about this before but I think it is important enough to mention again and I saw a prime example while on vacation.
When planning your wedding be sure to ask the site if anything else is going on the same day as your wedding. This can be other weddings, sporting events, festivals, races, anything that will affect the amount of people or traffic at your wedding site. After you talk to the site, be sure to contact your chamber of commerce and check with them too.
We were at Biltmore House as part of our mini vacation. It was the opening day for all the Christmas decorations (which by the way are unbelievably beautiful) and the place was packed. In the midst of this there were two brides trying to take their pictures. One was doing wedding pictures, the other portrait pictures.
I first saw the portrait bride trying to change clothes in a crowded public restroom. I felt really bad for her, she looks so harried. Later I saw her on the front patio of the house, freezing and irritated. The second bride was with her wedding party on the lawn trying to get pictures as shuttles were pulling in and out and estate guests were milling about. I can’t imagine how they could have pictures without strangers in the background (unless the photographer is really good at photoshop). I know things were not turning out the way the bride had pictured it at all.
So word to the wise, know what is going on at your site on your chosen day and make your plans accordingly!
When planning your wedding be sure to ask the site if anything else is going on the same day as your wedding. This can be other weddings, sporting events, festivals, races, anything that will affect the amount of people or traffic at your wedding site. After you talk to the site, be sure to contact your chamber of commerce and check with them too.
We were at Biltmore House as part of our mini vacation. It was the opening day for all the Christmas decorations (which by the way are unbelievably beautiful) and the place was packed. In the midst of this there were two brides trying to take their pictures. One was doing wedding pictures, the other portrait pictures.
I first saw the portrait bride trying to change clothes in a crowded public restroom. I felt really bad for her, she looks so harried. Later I saw her on the front patio of the house, freezing and irritated. The second bride was with her wedding party on the lawn trying to get pictures as shuttles were pulling in and out and estate guests were milling about. I can’t imagine how they could have pictures without strangers in the background (unless the photographer is really good at photoshop). I know things were not turning out the way the bride had pictured it at all.
So word to the wise, know what is going on at your site on your chosen day and make your plans accordingly!
Sunday, November 9, 2008
The Mini Vacation - A Must for the Stressed Out Wedding Blues
This weekend a miracle happened. Richard and I finally went on a vacation. Ok, it was a mini weekend vacation, but still a vacation. It was a chance for us to get away and reconnect. I couldn’t tell you the last time we got to go away.
A mini getaway is great for anyone, especially the bride and groom in the middle of wedding planning. If you’re at the point where you can’t remember why you are getting married, especially to “that man”, then you need a mini vacation. Nothing brings on wedding burnout quicker for the bride and the groom, than spending all your time stressing over your upcoming nuptials, or in my case, planning over a dozen weddings in the past few months.
Mini vacations don’t have to be anything fancy, especially since you are already stressing over that budget (isn’t everyone). Just a quiet weekend away, where (and Richard made this rule) the word wedding is not allowed. Tough but doable. I hope you have as good a time as I did.
A mini getaway is great for anyone, especially the bride and groom in the middle of wedding planning. If you’re at the point where you can’t remember why you are getting married, especially to “that man”, then you need a mini vacation. Nothing brings on wedding burnout quicker for the bride and the groom, than spending all your time stressing over your upcoming nuptials, or in my case, planning over a dozen weddings in the past few months.
Mini vacations don’t have to be anything fancy, especially since you are already stressing over that budget (isn’t everyone). Just a quiet weekend away, where (and Richard made this rule) the word wedding is not allowed. Tough but doable. I hope you have as good a time as I did.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Paying Delivery Fees - Smarter Than You May Think
There are places to save money when planning a wedding and places where it is best to pay up. An example of when to pay up is the florist delivery fee. I will explain this by telling you a true story that happened to a gentleman that one of my assistants happens to know.
His wife and daughter decided to save money on the florist delivery fee and just have dear old dad do the pick up and delivery. No problem right? Wrong, first of all Dad heard nothing about this plan until the wedding day. As the girls headed out to get hair and makeup done, dad was told he needed to go pick up the flowers at the florist and set them out at the church and reception.
Well, off he goes to the florist in his little Toyota Camry. When he arrives at the florist's he is met with disbelief. Surely, he knew he would need a van to carry all the flowers? No he did not. The florist reminds the dad that she is not responsible for any broken or damaged flowers. At this point, Dad no longer cared. He just needed them in the car. So they start shoving flowers in to every empty spot in the car. Finally, he gets loaded for the first of several trips and heads to the church. Several hours and trips later, he has the church and reception flowers set up with just minutes to spare.
After running to change and then walking his daughter down the aisle, he thinks it is time for him to relax and join the party…not quite. As they are headed out the church, his wife announces that he needs to stay and clean up the church. All the flowers need to be removed and petals cleaned off the aisle as required by the church.
So poor old dad starts cleaning up, meanwhile he is missing the cocktail hour, the grand entrance and the start of dinner at his only daughter’s wedding. All done for the sake of saving less than $100.00.
Word to the wise, pay the delivery fees, it is so worth it.
His wife and daughter decided to save money on the florist delivery fee and just have dear old dad do the pick up and delivery. No problem right? Wrong, first of all Dad heard nothing about this plan until the wedding day. As the girls headed out to get hair and makeup done, dad was told he needed to go pick up the flowers at the florist and set them out at the church and reception.
Well, off he goes to the florist in his little Toyota Camry. When he arrives at the florist's he is met with disbelief. Surely, he knew he would need a van to carry all the flowers? No he did not. The florist reminds the dad that she is not responsible for any broken or damaged flowers. At this point, Dad no longer cared. He just needed them in the car. So they start shoving flowers in to every empty spot in the car. Finally, he gets loaded for the first of several trips and heads to the church. Several hours and trips later, he has the church and reception flowers set up with just minutes to spare.
After running to change and then walking his daughter down the aisle, he thinks it is time for him to relax and join the party…not quite. As they are headed out the church, his wife announces that he needs to stay and clean up the church. All the flowers need to be removed and petals cleaned off the aisle as required by the church.
So poor old dad starts cleaning up, meanwhile he is missing the cocktail hour, the grand entrance and the start of dinner at his only daughter’s wedding. All done for the sake of saving less than $100.00.
Word to the wise, pay the delivery fees, it is so worth it.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Married Name Change - Voter's Registration
I ran into a “new bride” problem while voting today. It turns out that somehow when doing all the name changing after my own wedding; I forgot to change my voter’s registration to my new name. I was concerned that they wouldn’t let me vote. Turns out, that since I had my driver’s license with the same address as my voter’s registration, it was ok. So, word to wise, don’t forget to change your voter’s registration.
Monday, November 3, 2008
My Fair Wedding
So have you guys watched David Tutera’s My Fair Wedding yet? What did you think?
If only it was that easy to tell a bride “what are you thinking?” There have been girls that I really, really wanted to say “you’re kidding, right”. But it’s not my “dream” wedding, it’s theirs and my job is to make it happen for them. Now, that doesn’t mean I haven’t tried to gently steer some brides way from oceans of tulle and pink or some other over done fad. Still, it is their wedding and their day to be happy.
I have friends that know David and say he is a really nice guy. I’m sure he is, he comes across that way on the screen. But my problem with the show is, he is not improving their wedding using their original budget. He is adding thousands and thousands of dollars to their budget to make their wedding beautiful. I’d like to see what he can do, when he has to stick to the bride’s original budget. I worry that there are brides out there that think you can go from a fake flower centerpiece to hundreds of roses, all for the same price, if you have the right planner. Well that only happens if your planner has a David Tutera wallet or a fairy godmother with a very good wand.
If only it was that easy to tell a bride “what are you thinking?” There have been girls that I really, really wanted to say “you’re kidding, right”. But it’s not my “dream” wedding, it’s theirs and my job is to make it happen for them. Now, that doesn’t mean I haven’t tried to gently steer some brides way from oceans of tulle and pink or some other over done fad. Still, it is their wedding and their day to be happy.
I have friends that know David and say he is a really nice guy. I’m sure he is, he comes across that way on the screen. But my problem with the show is, he is not improving their wedding using their original budget. He is adding thousands and thousands of dollars to their budget to make their wedding beautiful. I’d like to see what he can do, when he has to stick to the bride’s original budget. I worry that there are brides out there that think you can go from a fake flower centerpiece to hundreds of roses, all for the same price, if you have the right planner. Well that only happens if your planner has a David Tutera wallet or a fairy godmother with a very good wand.
Watch and enjoy!
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